INTERVIEW: ‘Folk Wandering’ explores the American dream across the generations
Photo: Lena Hudson stars in Pipeline Theatre Company’s Folk Wandering. Photo courtesy of Suzi Sadler / Provided by Matt Ross Public Relations with permission.
The American dream is at the center of the new off-Broadway musical Folk Wandering, from the creative team at Pipeline Theatre Company. The ambitious show, which finishes its run Sunday, March 25, tells the story of three women as they confront and struggle with the American dream.
The characters include Rosealia in 1911, Kai in 1933 and Hannah in 1955. Their hope and heartache are set to the tunes of nine Pipeline composers, most of whom also serve as lyricists. The entire project was conceived by Jaclyn Backhaus and Andrew Neisler, with Backhaus taking care of the book and Neisler the direction.
Lena Hudson plays Rosealia, a 13-year-old aspiring journalist living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Recently, she exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about the new role. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What type of person is Rosealia? How would you describe her?
Rosealia is a spit-fire — driven, funny and smart-as-hell. She thinks (nee knows) that she’s always right, which is mostly a by-product of the fact that she’s 13. I think she’s an incredible example of a woman being totally unapologetic for her own talents and smarts.
What’s it like to perform this music each night?
A true joy. There are songs that have been in the show since the very beginning (seven years ago!) that still take me by surprise with their beauty.
How much research goes into a role and production like this?
It’s funny, I did a lot of research on the time period (1911, Lower East Side), the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, the union organizing those women participated in (books, documentaries, etc. — there’s a lot out there, and it’s very interesting!). And it’s all helpful of course, but the play is really not going for historical realism. It’s very much using language and attitudes from today to look at these stories, so what I got most from my research was a sense of how gutsy those women were, how much they had risked to come to this country, to try and fight for their own rights. I try and take that out on stage with me every night.
What’s your own view about the state of the American dream in 2018?
Oh boy. I think one of the questions we ask in the play (that I think feels really topical) is, who was the American dream for? And if it wasn’t for everyone, did the American dream ever exist in the first place? And I guess I think, no it didn’t. The idea that we live in a meritocracy, that grit and determination will lead to a life of well-being and security, is a lie. I hope and want to strive for a better dream.
Do you like the collaborative nature of the Pipeline Theatre Company?
God yes! It’s been such a joy to feel like you’re really part of the team, even as an actor, like your thoughts and opinions are valued. I don’t think the show could have asked for a better creative ferryer than Pipeline.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Folk Wandering from Pipeline Theatre Company continues through Sunday, March 25 at the Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
